Written answers
Thursday, 9 September 2021
Department of Health
Health Services
Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1318. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the roll-out of heart failure community integration teams countrywide and on ensuring that their roles are standardised across all CHO areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42455/21]
Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1320. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to improve investment in the heart failure workforce; his views on the delivery of four heart failure clinical nurse specialists per 150,000 population starting with filling currently funded whole-time equivalents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42457/21]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1318 and 1320 together.
Budget 2019 provided €20 million for the establishment of a new ring-fenced Sláintecare Integration Fund to test and scale how services can best be delivered.The Integration Fund looked for initiatives that support the delivery of integrated care and the shift to community care in new and innovative ways, helping to reduce and prevent hospital visits. This will support us in meeting our ultimate goal of reducing waiting lists and reducing waiting times.
The Fund supported a number of projects testing integrated care pathways for heart failure patients. Details of these projects are set out below.
Number | Project Name |
|---|---|
| 129 A | Donegal Heart Failure Integrated Care Service |
| 129 B | Sligo/Leitrim/W. Cavan/Sth. Donegal /Roscommon Heart Failure Integrated Care Service |
| 165 | Integrated Ambulatory Care Heart Failure Project - Improving quality of life for patients with Heart Failure |
| 237 | Heart Failure Virtual Consultation Service with Clinical Nurse Specialist Support in the Community |
| 248 | Community based Integrated Diagnostic and Care Initiative - Reduction in referral and follow-up waiting times for Heart Failure Patients |
| 377 | Heart Failure Service Integrated Care Project - Reduced Hospital Length of Stay through Integrated Heart Failure Service |
| 416 | Integrated Heart Failure Management Programme-Improving patient outcomes and health service efficiency by comprehensive and innovative integration of care across the continuum of healthcare settings - Improving patient outcomes through integrated care for heart failure |
| 430 | Cardiology Advance Nurse Practitioner (ANP) Heart Failure - Half day reduction in length of hospital stay thanks to Advance Nursing Practitioner in Cardiology |
| 469 | Galway University Hospitals Community Cardiac Diagnostics - Reduced Waiting Times for Cardiac Diagnostic |
These projects were evaluated and were found to have successfully met their targets and objectives. They have been mainstreamed and are now being funded under the Enhanced Community Care programme under NSP 2021 at a cost of €2.5 million.
Issues of an operational nature under the remit of the HSE also arise in this PQ and I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1319. To ask the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure that heart failure virtual clinics will be rolled out as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42456/21]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1321. To ask the Minister for Health his views on measures that will enable consultant cardiologist-led heart failure services for inpatients and outpatients in all areas as well as a dedicated cardiac physiologist as part of heart failure units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42458/21]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1322. To ask the Minister for Health if he will commit to long-term financing and resourcing for the maintenance and upkeep of an AED register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42459/21]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
AEDs (defibrillators) are available in many locations across society under the management of various organisations.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) have commissioned an Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy for Ireland.
The HSE provide training on the use of AEDs through the National Ambulance Service to Community First Responder (CFR) groups.
No comments